The Chickenburger Celebrates 80 Years In Bedford
BEDFORD – When you ask Bedford residents of their favourite memories of The Chickenburger, you’ll find out that stories of the iconic restaurant go back through the generations.
“My 98-year-old father in law would come with his uncle every Sunday to get an ice cream,” said Sharon Morrison. “He was around 12 years old then. They would make the long trip from Robie Street. He had many fond memories.”
“My in-laws first date was there 65-plus years ago,” said Judy Aucoin Elliot. “Back then it was a long hike from Robie Street to Bedford. They went for lunch.”
It’s not surprising that memories of this landmark restaurant stretch back so far, considering The Chickenburger just turned 80-years-old in on July 1. That’s a lot of chicken cooked and eaten from just one location in Bedford.
When the restaurant opened in 1940, it was a drive-in operation, which was the style at the time. People would wait in their vehicles and a server would deliver the food to the parking lot. It is believed that The Chickenburger is one of, if not the, oldest Canadian drive-in still operating.
So, what has kept this family-run business going for nearly a century, despite competition from the larger burger chains? Those who have worked there say attention to detail and tradition are two big factors.
“You can’t do that by cutting corners; you’ve got to be authentic, you got to be who you are, and I think that’s what the chicken burger really represents,” said Colin MacDonald of Micco Companies Ltd.
“We’ve stuck to a traditional menu because it’s what we know, it’s what we’re good at and it’s what people know us for.”
Back in 2007, MacDonald’s father, Micky bought The Chickenburger from Tom Innes. It was Tom’s parents, Jack and Bernice Innes, who founded the restaurant back in 1940. For years, Bernice was a staple in the community and was affectionately known as the “Chickenburger Lady.”
“Bernice was actually really running the restaurant,” said MacDonald. “Jack would run it at night, and she would run it in the day. She was very much the matriarch.”
The people who have worked for years at The Chickenburger also feel connected to the joint. Claudia Porter is a supervisor at The Chickenburger and has worked there for five years. She says cleanliness and good customer service has kept people coming back for 80 years.
“It’s definitely iconic in the Bedford area. Everyone knows where the chicken burger is and what it stands for…good quality, very, simple, food and good customer service,” said Porter.
Anyone who has eaten at the Chicken Burger also knows that it has a 50s nostalgia vibe to it; with its neon colours and decorative interior.
“The ambiance is great,” said Porter. “People love the neon and jukebox; our car shows and movie nights.”
The movie nights are something special and unique about the Chickenburger. During most summers, the restaurant plays movies outdoors on a big screen, just like back in the day. People will sit outside and watch classics like Grease, Dirty Dancing, Footloose, and Goonies.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Chickenburger has also brought back its oldest feature: having your food delivered to you in the parking lot.
“It’s funny- as unfortunate as the pandemic was, one of the things that we actually started doing again was actually to do the drive-up service,” said MacDonald.
Even when the pandemic is over, The Chickenburger plans to keep this service around, since smartphone technology makes it easier than ever to order food while sitting in your car. Just don’t expect the server to come out on roller skates like they do in some 50s movie.
“From an occupational health and safety view, that would be a bit of a challenge,” said MacDonald with a laugh.